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Reviews and Notices of Books.Tlte Illustrated Handbook of British Plants. By ALEX-

ANDER. IRVINE, F. B.S. London: Griffin.

MR. IRVINE is well known as an accomplished botanist andthe editor of the Phytologist, a journal of botany. He is verydeservedly an authority upon all botanical subjects; and what-ever issues from his pen is sure to be deserving of atten-tion for its accuracy, fulness, and thorough familiarity withthe latest advances in botanical science. The work underreview possesses these characteristic qualities, and it will meetthe necessities of those who have not a botanical library ontheir shelves; while for the more erudite or the more wealthyit will serve as a very convenient book of reference for the

systematic, geographical, and structural relations of plants.There is, however, one grave omission in this work, which

is but too common in British treatises on botany. There is anentire want of appreciation of the grandeur and importance ofthe discoveries of Schleiden and his followers. The history ofthe vegetable cell is wholly neglected; and we do not evenfind the name of Schleiden in the long list of authorities quoted.This is a sad imperfection. That great discovery of the all-important functions of the vegetable cell opened a new era, notalone for physiological botany, but for the whole science ofphysiology. Schwann, following the steps of his master, ap-plied his researches to the study of animal structure and animalfunction. And now, at last, the whole history of animal growthand animal function is nothing more than a recital of the storyof the organic cell. It is the unit of all structure and the

agent of all function. The conditions of cell-life are so much

simpler and more easily observed in plants than in animals,that the study of the plant cell, which first unveiled this un-suspected secret of creation, continues day by day to throwadditional light upon all kindred researches. We can but con-aider a work on botany as very incomplete which devotes buta few lines to this most important subject, while it gives nearlya thousand pages to other departments of the science.

Syllabus of Lectures on Medical Logic, delivered in MarischalCollege cend University, Aberdeen. Printed by James Smith,Aberdeen.

SOME time ago it was announced in our pages that a newchair had been instituted and endowed, on Medical Logic, inMarischal College, Aberdeen, by a worthy professional con-frre-namely, Dr. Henderson, of Curzon-street, London, andto which Dr. Ogston was appointed the first Professor. Sincethen a syllabus of the lectures which that gentleman is aboutto deliver, has been issued for the use of students. Accordingto the statement thus officially promulgated, Dr. Ogston’scourse will comprise twenty-eight lectures, and judging of thevarious matters he particularly, and at some length, proposesto discuss, the whole question will be thoroughly investigated.To specify the numerous points to which he intends to directthe attention of his hearers more especially, is impossible,within our limited space. Nevertheless, it may be briefly men-tioned, having first alluded to the merits and defects of earlymedical science, its state before Bacon, and the neglect of thatimmortal author, the lecturer will then speak of the principleson which most sciences are classified, and show that the induc-tive and analytical systems are essentially the same in medicineas in physics. Afterwards, the ancient and modern methodsin reference to medico-scientific problems will be contrasted.Subsequently, the new Professor intends dedicating one dis.course to comparison and analogy in medicine ; three to thenumerical method ; four to the deductive and synthetic modeof investigating medical questions ; besides other lectures to

observation, experiment, hypothesis, language, terminology,description, and classification. Next, fallacies in medicine, suchas A p1-iori fallacies, those of observation, generalization, ratio-

cination, confusion, and likewise that of irrelevant conclusion,will severally occupy five orations; and the series terminates bydefending the utility of such studies, their inherent vitality,and intimate connexion with medical science. Finally, it willbe advocated, that logic in medicine constitutes one form ofapplied science, possessing a close resemblance between it andpolitical.

Should the learned Professor accomplish the varied task thustraced out by himself, in the way which his known eruditionand extensive acquirements fully entitle the profession to anti-cipate, he will confer a great benefit upon those students whomay be the auditors of such a course of lectures. And as the

subject is somewhat novel, while very little has heretofore beenwritten on medical logic, it is also to be hoped, when Dr.Ogston shall have terminated his important academic labours,that some report of the lectures may appear in an extendedform, whereby practitioners generally may have an opportunityof studying at leisure a subject unquestionably of much interestboth to learners and teachers, as those practically occupied inprofessional investigations.

Tlte Effect of Septic Inhalations on the Lungs and GeneralHealth, M reference to a new Composition of ArtificialTeet7b. By DONALDSON MACKENZIE, Surgeon - Dentist.London: John Churchill.

WHEN we say that this book is dedicated, without permis-sion being announced, ’’ to the Queen and the ladies of Eng-land, in the hope that the experience gained in the course of along practice may be of benefit to generations yet unborn, intowhose minds may truth and reason be instilled by the holyteachings of the mothers of men !" that a portrait of the Queenis prefixed; that we have been unable to discover any singlepoint of novelty in its teachings; and that, by ordinary com-pression, it need not have occupied one-fourth of its presentspace,-we shall have told all that our readers care to know.We may say, in its favour, that it is exceedingly well printed,and that it is profusely illustrated by ad-captandum woodcuts,some of which are old friends.

Transactions of the St. George’s Hospital Medical Society.Session 1856-57. pp. 83. London : Garnell, 1857.

THESE comprise a series of fourteen elaborate essays broughtbefore the Society, and most of them evince much ability andresearch on the part of their respective authors. A paperby Mr. T. Holmes " On Popliteal Aneurism," is full, accu-rate, and well-reasoned; one "On Excision of Joints," byMr. G. Roberts, gives a capital summary of modern expe-rience ; ’’ On the Treatment of Syphilis by a New TherapeuticAgent," by Mr. Ernest Hart, is thoroughly original and sug-gestive, and will, we hope, bear further fruit; and "On Ab-dominal Tumours simulating Pregnancy," by Mr. C. Hunter,very thoughtful and ingenious. These "Transactions" reflectmuch credit on the students of the hospital.

Transactions of the Medical Society of King’s College, London.Vol. 1. 1857. London: Born. pp. 247.

MANY of the papers in this volume are of value, and evincenot only a considerable acquaintance with the subjects treatedof, but also much originality and research. We may particu-larly refer to the paper " On the Medicinal Treatment ofSurgical Affections," by Mr. Christopher Heath.Mr. John Way’s communication " On Kidney Tube Casts"

is an epitome of all that is known on that subject, and is illus-trated by drawings of the microscopic specimens. He enume-

rates the small waxy or intercellular cast, the lw’ge waxy or’ intermembranous cast, the granular cast, epithelial casts, blood

casts, the pus cast, and lastly, oil casts." Observations on some Functional Diseases of the Uterus"

is a paper of some thirty-five pages, by Mr. Alfrei Meadows,in which the more important diseases of this organ are carefullv

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considered. The author shows an intimate acquaintance withhis subject.Some observations of a practical nature are contained in Mr.

Geo. W. Lawrence’s paper on " Some Points connected withthe Morbid Anatomy of the Heart, especially the Formation ofBellows Sounds." "

Following the Essays are a series of Clinical Records of casesof interest, many of them highly important, concluding withCases of Diseased Joints, by Mr. P. C. Price.The " Transactions" are edited by Mr. Alfred Meadows.

ROYAL MEDICAL BENEVOLENT COLLEGE.

Or Tuesday last, the annual meeting of the Governors of theRoyal Medical Benevolent College was held at Freemasons’Hall. The Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M.P., was in the chair.There was a large attendance of Governors, both from Londonand the country. We regret that the proceedings were of sucha character as to preclude the possibility of writing anythinglike a connected report. The meeting was one of the mostunsatisfactory and disorderly that we ever attended. It is

well known that for a long period a great number of Governorsof the institution have felt aggrieved that the terms for the" exhibition scholars" were raised by the Council from .f30 toX40 per annum. Upon the faith of what appeared the original"agreement," in the first prospectus of the College, numerousGovernors qualified and obtained large sums for the foundationand endowment of the institution.Without entering, at this time, into the legal construction of

the Act of Parliament relating to the College, by one party itis asserted that it absolutely prohibited the diversion of a shil-ling, raised for charitable purposes, towards the expenses ofthe exhibition scholars. The other party, also fortified by highlegal opinion, contend that the Council had the power to divertthe funds for that purpose. We have already, on severaloccasions, expressed our conviction that the Council hadthe law on their side. The Council contend that £ 40 is theminimum annual sum for which each boy can be educated;whilst the dissentients assert that, under proper management,X30 is more than ample. It is unnecessary to refer to the con-troversy which has taken place on this matter, nor do we offerany opinion upon the correctness of either of the above assump-tions. But, under any circumstances, it is to be regretted thatthe disagreement should be allowed to proceed. On Thursday,after the Report of the Council and Treasurer had beenread, a motion was made that it should be approved andadopted. Upon this an amendment was proposed and dulyseconded, that the Treasurer’s Report should be printed andcirculated amongst the governors, and the meeting adjournedfor one month, in order that the different items might be fullyand fairly considered. It was argued by the proposer andseconder of the amendment, that the figures were of so com-plicated a character that it was impossible to arrive at a justestimate of their importance by simply hearing them read.It was, moreover, urged, that many of the expenses were ex-cessive, and called loudly for investigation.Now, the great error was committed by the chairman-

of refusing to listen to any speaker in favour of the amend-ment. The consequence was that a division took place amidstconsiderable tumult, the original motion being carried by alarge majority.

0 0

The nomination of members of Council was the next motionon the paper; and the chairman endeavoured to stifle discus-sion upon the resolution. The result was a scene which no

pen could succeed in faithfully portraying. A ballot was at-tempted amidst the wildest confusion, which eventually endedin an adjournment to the 8th of June, when it will take placebetween the hours of two and five, at Freemasons’ Hall, GreatQueen-street, Lincoln’s-inn- fields.The governors have to thank Mr. Pownall, the chairman of

the Middlesex magistrates, for this most sensible suggestion.We regret to record the proceedings of this meeting, becausethey will have the effect of inflicting a temporary injury upona great and noble institution. The esteemed founder of theRoyal Medical Benevolent College must have been gratifiedon witnessing the enthusiasm with which a reference to hislabours in the chance nf l1Î!’I nnnrer brethren was ref.eivd hv

every person present. To him personally no sufficient praisecan be given. He has devoted his time and talents to one ofthe noblest causes which ever engaged the energies of a singleman. He has raised a nobler monument to his name in the causeof charity than any other member of our profession.We fervently trust that the disagreement at present existing

between the governors of the " Propert College" may be ad-justed. Conciliation is better than warfare. All are animatedby the same holy desire of conferring the greatest amount ofbenefit upon their suffering brethren. Let the claims of all berighteously considered; let unanimity prevail amongst themembers of a profession whose first duty is to relieve sufferingand to succour the afflicted; and let the Royal Medical Bene-volent College pursue its career in peace, as the noble monumentof a GENERAL PRACTITIONER in medicine, who has earned forhimself a name which places him amongst the greatest ben6-factors to his profession.

NAVAL ASSISTANT-SURGEONS.0 the Editor of THE LANCET.

SiR,-Having carefully read your remarks on the claims ofnaval assistant-surgeons in THE LANCET, of May 1st, and asmany may think that we have now no just cause of complaintexcept that stated in the House of Commons by ColonelBoldero, our staunch supporter, I beg to give you a few par-ticulars relative to the way in which effect has been given tothe " Admiralty Circular" of July 16th, 1855, issued in conse-quence of the agitation of the medical students. You, Sir,seem to be aware of the result when you say, " with a charac-teristic want of faith, only part of the pledges then given havesince been fulfilled."The circular says, " cabins are always to be assigned to

assistant-surgeons whenever the service will admit." Now, Ihave lately visited several of our dockyards, and I made apoint of going on board every ship so far advanced with her

internal fittings as to have the cabins marked for the officers,and in no single ship have I seen more than one cabin for anassistant-surgeon; and as all line-of-battle ships and frigates of50 guns (and some of our three-deckers more, if they are to begot,) are allowed two assistant-surgeons, it follows that thesenior assistant-surgeon only can step into a cabin, while thejunior must wait the captain’s convenience to assign him one-that is, if there is a vacant one in the ship, and the captainwill recognise the claims of an officer and gentleman. It isevident, from the way in which the circular is worded, thatassistant-surgeons cannot, as a matter of right, insist on acabin, and I regret to say that too many commanding officersare glad to seize on the proviso, " whenever the service willadmit," as a pretext for not granting one. I maintain that in

every ship, of whatever class, there is abundance of vacant

space to build an extra cabin.The great evil of bringing our position so often before the

public is, that the latter are led by it to believe that navalmedical officers are not a properly educated or qualified set ofgentlemen, or they would not enter a service where they are

’

so treated. But this is quite a mistake; the majority of naval’

medical officers of the present day are not only well qualified,’ but the result of their practice, occasionally under great diffi.

culties, will bear comparison with that of many of our civilbrethren who have a good reputation. We only enter the ser-vice because we belong to a profession already overstocked; and,

’

besides, on leaving college, many of us are delighted with theprospect of going abroad, and others, having been assistants to

’ private practitioners, dread the slavery which young men seek-’ ing practice must entail on themselves, unhappily, overlooking

the discomforts awaiting them in the navy.’ In conclusion, I advise those who think that honours are to’

be got in the navy which are an equivalent for other drawbacks’ to look at the late distribution of the Medjidie, and they will

l there see that only five out of, I suppose, about fifty assistant-surgeons serving in the Black Sea have been awarded that

: decoration, whilst the majority of other officers are recipients’ of it. I will not ask them to inquire why any one of these

five had the honour conferred on him in preference to others.I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

I May, 1858. AN ASSISTANT-SURGEON R.N.

PO1SOITINGS.-The "Bombay Telegraph" speaks ofconsiderable alarm existing at Bombay on account of severalmysterious deaths by poisoning, and mentions that this speciesI of catastrophe is alarmingly on the increase.